a nice girl who is definitely your age (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
fishingforcompliments) wrote2020-06-06 10:49 pm
fishingforcompliments) wrote2020-06-06 10:49 pm
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[ Well, she certainly didn't stick around for questions... But Dimitri did spot what general direction she was running, and he's faster than she is, so it's not too hard to end up at the Isolation Cabin together.
Granted, she did get a head start, so the door is closed. He knocks, not so mad that he'd try to bust in, but... he is confused, definitely. ]
—Flayn.
Granted, she did get a head start, so the door is closed. He knocks, not so mad that he'd try to bust in, but... he is confused, definitely. ]
—Flayn.
[She's so focused on getting somewhere away from the others - anywhere away from the others - that she doesn't realize she's been followed. Not until she closes the door behind her, and leans against it to let out a breath.
That's when she hears his voice. She freezes.]
...Dimitri.
[Oh, gods. Did he see?]
That's when she hears his voice. She freezes.]
...Dimitri.
[Oh, gods. Did he see?]
[ Last game, he probably wouldn't have read the profiles. They're an invasion of privacy, and nothing he really needs to know. But... things have changed.
And he wasn't expecting to be surprised by Flayn's info, of everyone. Even so, he stays on the other side of the door for now. ]
Are you all right? You left in quite a hurry.
And he wasn't expecting to be surprised by Flayn's info, of everyone. Even so, he stays on the other side of the door for now. ]
Are you all right? You left in quite a hurry.
[...did he not see?
Maybe he saw her run, and followed her because he was worried. That would be very much like him, she thinks - kind and concerned, and rushing headlong into after her for no reason other than to make sure she's alright.
It makes her feel that much guiltier for having lied to him by omission.
(Out of necessity, she reminds herself, and then flinches. However necessary it might be, a lie is still a lie.)]
I am not hurt.
Maybe he saw her run, and followed her because he was worried. That would be very much like him, she thinks - kind and concerned, and rushing headlong into after her for no reason other than to make sure she's alright.
It makes her feel that much guiltier for having lied to him by omission.
(Out of necessity, she reminds herself, and then flinches. However necessary it might be, a lie is still a lie.)]
I am not hurt.
[ Her responses are a bit brief, maybe guarded. It's probably his fault for chasing her down like this... He tries not to sound too accusatory, speaking only loudly enough that he can be heard through the wood. ]
I didn't mean if you were hurt. You seemed... distressed by the papers we saw.
[ Judging from her reaction, it seems they had written out the truth about her. ]
I didn't mean if you were hurt. You seemed... distressed by the papers we saw.
[ Judging from her reaction, it seems they had written out the truth about her. ]
[Her breath catches.]
...did you read them?
[This is her fault, really. Perhaps she could have played it off. Seteth probably would have managed it - but she has never been as good as him when it comes to masking how she feels.]
...did you read them?
[This is her fault, really. Perhaps she could have played it off. Seteth probably would have managed it - but she has never been as good as him when it comes to masking how she feels.]
[ She's not a good liar. Neither is he, mostly. There is a pause. ]
Not yours, no.
[ Not all of it, anyway. It was already dishonorable of him to read so many profiles as it was—what business did he have, learning so many intimate details about so many strangers? But after the last game, he has to harden his heart. Trust less. Take more. Prepare himself for the worst, when all he's ever wanted was the kindest outcome.
But... there's only so much he can stomach. ]
Flayn... everyone has their secrets. Some are harmful. But I cannot believe that anything you keep to yourself is to hurt others. You are trying to protect yourself, are you not? So you can tell me when you're ready.
[ He'd just have to make himself someone worth trusting. ]
Not yours, no.
[ Not all of it, anyway. It was already dishonorable of him to read so many profiles as it was—what business did he have, learning so many intimate details about so many strangers? But after the last game, he has to harden his heart. Trust less. Take more. Prepare himself for the worst, when all he's ever wanted was the kindest outcome.
But... there's only so much he can stomach. ]
Flayn... everyone has their secrets. Some are harmful. But I cannot believe that anything you keep to yourself is to hurt others. You are trying to protect yourself, are you not? So you can tell me when you're ready.
[ He'd just have to make himself someone worth trusting. ]
Edited 2020-06-08 00:29 (UTC)
[It feels a little wrong to be relieved to hear that he didn't read hers.
If their situations were reversed, she knows her curiosity would keep her up at night. That it's simply because she wants to get to know him doesn't mean much - how can she be so glad that he's respecting her privacy, when she knows she would struggle to do so if it was the other way around?
There is a long pause, and then a click just before she eases the door open.]
...it is not that I do not wish to tell you, Dimitri.
[She trusts him. Truly, she does. If she were told, right at this moment, that Dimitri would decide whether she would live or die, she wouldn't be even the slightest bit afraid to let him have her life in his hands, because she knows he wouldn't harm her.
And yet...]
I am... not meant to tell anyone.
[But secrets have a way of getting out. Her kidnapping back at the monastery was proof of that.]
If their situations were reversed, she knows her curiosity would keep her up at night. That it's simply because she wants to get to know him doesn't mean much - how can she be so glad that he's respecting her privacy, when she knows she would struggle to do so if it was the other way around?
There is a long pause, and then a click just before she eases the door open.]
...it is not that I do not wish to tell you, Dimitri.
[She trusts him. Truly, she does. If she were told, right at this moment, that Dimitri would decide whether she would live or die, she wouldn't be even the slightest bit afraid to let him have her life in his hands, because she knows he wouldn't harm her.
And yet...]
I am... not meant to tell anyone.
[But secrets have a way of getting out. Her kidnapping back at the monastery was proof of that.]
[ He's heard enough about her age and spotted a fragment of information before he could glance away, so that's... there. But it doesn't mean much on its own, mostly because he's not willing to read into it anyway. It should be enough to stoke his curiosity, but when she opens the door and they're face to face again, he just shakes his head, reassuring. ]
It's all right, Flayn.
[ He really doesn't need to know. Of course he'd like to know, but he rarely feels the need to pry. ]
Sometimes we have to trust each other without knowing everything. That's part of having faith in others. Whatever it is, I don't mind not knowing.
[ It goes without saying that he has his own secrets, too. Sometimes... it was better to hold those things close, no matter how close you are. He looks sympathetic—a little sad.. ]
But I'm sorry it was revealed regardless.
It's all right, Flayn.
[ He really doesn't need to know. Of course he'd like to know, but he rarely feels the need to pry. ]
Sometimes we have to trust each other without knowing everything. That's part of having faith in others. Whatever it is, I don't mind not knowing.
[ It goes without saying that he has his own secrets, too. Sometimes... it was better to hold those things close, no matter how close you are. He looks sympathetic—a little sad.. ]
But I'm sorry it was revealed regardless.
[He really is very kind.
Flayn can think of many people she knows who simply would not let it be, if they had heard even a fraction of the fraction that Dimitri had discovered. (In fact, she can think of one person in particular who would be an absolute nightmare.)
Not for the first time, she finds part of herself wishing that she had gotten to know him better in the monastery. What has she missed out on, by being a part of the Black Eagles class?]
It is hardly your fault - you do not need to apologize...
[He isn't the one who went and wrote her profile.]
What is most disturbing is the fact that anyone knew that to be able to put it on there in the first place. I cannot think of how...
Flayn can think of many people she knows who simply would not let it be, if they had heard even a fraction of the fraction that Dimitri had discovered. (In fact, she can think of one person in particular who would be an absolute nightmare.)
Not for the first time, she finds part of herself wishing that she had gotten to know him better in the monastery. What has she missed out on, by being a part of the Black Eagles class?]
It is hardly your fault - you do not need to apologize...
[He isn't the one who went and wrote her profile.]
What is most disturbing is the fact that anyone knew that to be able to put it on there in the first place. I cannot think of how...
[ He steps through the cabin, brows furrowed faintly as he takes over one of the strange, squishy bean bag chairs, motioning for her to take one as well, if she wants. May as well take their time and talk this out, if only to soothe Flayn's nerves. ]
It is strange how thorough these profiles are.
[ Not just for her, but for all of them. ]
While my secrets are less guarded than yours, they still saw too much of me for comfort. [ There's a great deal about Dimitri's life that's public knowledge, so he's never needed much privacy, but the notes had struck an oddly personal chord. It wasn't just textbook facts about his life, but about him as a person... How would they know any of these things? ] I suppose we should be on-guard, though I hate to assume the worst too early.
It is strange how thorough these profiles are.
[ Not just for her, but for all of them. ]
While my secrets are less guarded than yours, they still saw too much of me for comfort. [ There's a great deal about Dimitri's life that's public knowledge, so he's never needed much privacy, but the notes had struck an oddly personal chord. It wasn't just textbook facts about his life, but about him as a person... How would they know any of these things? ] I suppose we should be on-guard, though I hate to assume the worst too early.
[Flayn nods, settling down in the other bean bag chair. She looks briefly surprised by how it feels - they don't have these back at the monastery.
But then, there are a lot of things here that they never had there.]
I have not read yours, and I shall not read it without your permission.
[Less guarded they may be, but they are still Dimitri's secrets and no one else's. If he's doing her the favor of not looking into hers, then the very least she can do is extend him the same courtesy. (Part of her wants to break into the enclosed bulletin board and pull them all down, but that isn't going to work.)]
...I would prefer not to assume the worst, but... I...
[She glances at the jail cell, seeming to notice it for the first time.]
...what is this building for?
[Why would there be a jail when they're supposed to be taking a break and waiting to go the rest of the way home? That is incredibly ominous.]
But then, there are a lot of things here that they never had there.]
I have not read yours, and I shall not read it without your permission.
[Less guarded they may be, but they are still Dimitri's secrets and no one else's. If he's doing her the favor of not looking into hers, then the very least she can do is extend him the same courtesy. (Part of her wants to break into the enclosed bulletin board and pull them all down, but that isn't going to work.)]
...I would prefer not to assume the worst, but... I...
[She glances at the jail cell, seeming to notice it for the first time.]
...what is this building for?
[Why would there be a jail when they're supposed to be taking a break and waiting to go the rest of the way home? That is incredibly ominous.]
[Flayn hadn't been expecting Dimitri to ask her to stop by his cabin - but it makes sense that he would want to talk privately, given that they still don't know exactly what is going on in this camp.
The tasks they've been given seem benign enough, but...
Anyway.
Knock, knock, knock! Here she is.]
The tasks they've been given seem benign enough, but...
Anyway.
Knock, knock, knock! Here she is.]
[ It's pretty easy to have some time alone in his cabin, what with everyone out and about completing tasks. It's a good thing too, because he doesn't want to put this conversation off for too long.
He opens the door, nodding in greeting as he steps aside to let Flayn in. ]
Sorry to have to call you over like this. I figured it would be the easiest way to speak privately.
He opens the door, nodding in greeting as he steps aside to let Flayn in. ]
Sorry to have to call you over like this. I figured it would be the easiest way to speak privately.
It is no trouble at all.
[Inside she goes. She turns and pulls the door behind her; since he wants to speak privately, better to make sure no one can linger outside the door and listen in.
Once that's done:]
What was it that you wished to speak about, Dimitri?
[Inside she goes. She turns and pulls the door behind her; since he wants to speak privately, better to make sure no one can linger outside the door and listen in.
Once that's done:]
What was it that you wished to speak about, Dimitri?
[ He seems... a little on-edge, moreso than before. As much as he'd been trying to keep his mind off the Worst Case Scenario, he has to be more cautious than he was on the island. He sits along one of the mattresses, thoughtful. ]
Have you told anyone about your power? You don't need to tell me who, if you have.
Have you told anyone about your power? You don't need to tell me who, if you have.
[Ah. Well, this isn't exactly a surprising topic. In answer to his question, though, she shakes her head.]
I have not told anyone any specifics, but I was asked if I believed that I could use my power to harm someone. I told them that I did not. [...he does seem a little on-edge. Her brow furrows in slight concern.] ...is everything all right?
I have not told anyone any specifics, but I was asked if I believed that I could use my power to harm someone. I told them that I did not. [...he does seem a little on-edge. Her brow furrows in slight concern.] ...is everything all right?
[ Ah, that makes things easier. He lets his shoulders sag a bit, relieved but not. ]
I was asked the same. It is a wise strategy for them to take, but...
[ It makes him worry about the future. ]
Whether or not we were granted these abilities to defend ourselves in a time of need, or for something more nefarious, it unsettles me that these possibilities exist.
I was asked the same. It is a wise strategy for them to take, but...
[ It makes him worry about the future. ]
Whether or not we were granted these abilities to defend ourselves in a time of need, or for something more nefarious, it unsettles me that these possibilities exist.
[...by the same person, probably. Flayn nods to herself, because it makes sense that they would both be asked.]
If you were asked by the same person I was, they have some experience with powers such as these already. It does make me a little uneasy.
[She pauses, then looks up, searching his face.]
Would it help you if I told you what my power is? I know that we are advised against doing so, but... I do trust you.
If you were asked by the same person I was, they have some experience with powers such as these already. It does make me a little uneasy.
[She pauses, then looks up, searching his face.]
Would it help you if I told you what my power is? I know that we are advised against doing so, but... I do trust you.
I know.
[ He looks crestfallen a moment. She has trusted him so much, but is that really wise? ]
Flayn... I asked you here so I could tell you mine, but I don't want you to share anything that I could possibly use against you.
[ He hasn't wanted to face the darkest possibility ahead of them, but he can't ignore it, either. He has to take at least this precaution. ]
Whether it is your power, your affiliation, or your past—you should guard yourself from me. What happened to Giyuu... there's no reason it couldn't happen to me as well.
[ He looks crestfallen a moment. She has trusted him so much, but is that really wise? ]
Flayn... I asked you here so I could tell you mine, but I don't want you to share anything that I could possibly use against you.
[ He hasn't wanted to face the darkest possibility ahead of them, but he can't ignore it, either. He has to take at least this precaution. ]
Whether it is your power, your affiliation, or your past—you should guard yourself from me. What happened to Giyuu... there's no reason it couldn't happen to me as well.
[No.
Flayn wants to reject the possibility, immediately and vehemently. But she knows that Dimitri wouldn't bring this up unless he'd thought about it, so she at least needs to consider it before she shuts it down.
His logic is at least somewhat sound. If history is repeating itself, it could happen to him. It could happen to any of them.
And so -]
...if I must guard myself from you, then you must guard yourself from me in turn. There is no reason why it could not happen to me, either.
[Her voice is small.]
Is that really what you want?
Flayn wants to reject the possibility, immediately and vehemently. But she knows that Dimitri wouldn't bring this up unless he'd thought about it, so she at least needs to consider it before she shuts it down.
His logic is at least somewhat sound. If history is repeating itself, it could happen to him. It could happen to any of them.
And so -]
...if I must guard myself from you, then you must guard yourself from me in turn. There is no reason why it could not happen to me, either.
[Her voice is small.]
Is that really what you want?
[ He looks a little surprised, but then he shakes his head, his expression softening. ]
No, Flayn.
[ That isn't what he wants. ]
I am not afraid of you. Even if... you were touched by madness, like Giyuu, I do not believe in your capacity for harm. You are a truly good person.
I want you to know my power so you can decipher if I've killed someone.
[ That's what he wants. ]
No, Flayn.
[ That isn't what he wants. ]
I am not afraid of you. Even if... you were touched by madness, like Giyuu, I do not believe in your capacity for harm. You are a truly good person.
I want you to know my power so you can decipher if I've killed someone.
[ That's what he wants. ]
Do not presume to tell me what I am or am not capable of.
[He hasn't really touched a nerve, not exactly - they both know that she doesn't want to hurt people. If given the choice between harming and healing, she'll choose healing every time.
But she may not have the choice, and that's the point she has to make here. This place could very well warp her into something she is not, if it does turn out the way some of the others have, or even if it turns out the way the island did.]
I will not need to be able to do that, because you will not harm anyone here. We will wait this out, and we will find our way home.
[She wants to believe that.
She has to believe that.]
[He hasn't really touched a nerve, not exactly - they both know that she doesn't want to hurt people. If given the choice between harming and healing, she'll choose healing every time.
But she may not have the choice, and that's the point she has to make here. This place could very well warp her into something she is not, if it does turn out the way some of the others have, or even if it turns out the way the island did.]
I will not need to be able to do that, because you will not harm anyone here. We will wait this out, and we will find our way home.
[She wants to believe that.
She has to believe that.]
[ To see his own, ridiculous optimism reflected back at him is surreal. Dimitri shares her same, blind faith in all things but himself. But... if that's really the case, then he needs to take a different tack with this.
He looks a little tired, and defeated. But he smiles a little anyway, like some strange tension in him has finally unwound. ]
All right. We will get through this without harming anyone.
[ He sits back, closing his eyes as he speaks. ]
My power is that I can replicate a mundane skill that I see someone else perform for one week. I am on the Purple team.
[ He blinks, staring up at the ceiling a moment. ]
If you are so sure nothing will happen, then there's no harm in you knowing.
[ What he really means to say is that if something does happen, she should be aware. If nothing else... no matter how twisted his thoughts, he doubts he will hurt Flayn herself. And if she betrays him with this, he knows it's not of her own volition.
This is the best he can think to do. ]
He looks a little tired, and defeated. But he smiles a little anyway, like some strange tension in him has finally unwound. ]
All right. We will get through this without harming anyone.
[ He sits back, closing his eyes as he speaks. ]
My power is that I can replicate a mundane skill that I see someone else perform for one week. I am on the Purple team.
[ He blinks, staring up at the ceiling a moment. ]
If you are so sure nothing will happen, then there's no harm in you knowing.
[ What he really means to say is that if something does happen, she should be aware. If nothing else... no matter how twisted his thoughts, he doubts he will hurt Flayn herself. And if she betrays him with this, he knows it's not of her own volition.
This is the best he can think to do. ]
[Some of the tension bleeds out of her stance as he smiles, and she allows herself to relax just the slightest bit, smiling back at him. If nothing will happen, there is no harm in her knowing - which means there is no harm in his knowing, either.
She wants to trust him. She wants to trust him so badly that it hurts.]
...that is a very useful ability.
[What he'll use it for, she can't quite say - but it doesn't necessarily have to be for something nefarious. Perhaps it will help him in some way. Actually - if he watches the right person - it really could come in handy.
Dimitri could become a world-class chef, if he wanted to.]
I am on the Blue team.
[Some part of her had hoped that they would have been on the same team - but what are the chances of that? Just because he led the Blue Lions doesn't mean he's always going to be blue.
Maybe it's just their fate not to be under the same banner.]
She wants to trust him. She wants to trust him so badly that it hurts.]
...that is a very useful ability.
[What he'll use it for, she can't quite say - but it doesn't necessarily have to be for something nefarious. Perhaps it will help him in some way. Actually - if he watches the right person - it really could come in handy.
Dimitri could become a world-class chef, if he wanted to.]
I am on the Blue team.
[Some part of her had hoped that they would have been on the same team - but what are the chances of that? Just because he led the Blue Lions doesn't mean he's always going to be blue.
Maybe it's just their fate not to be under the same banner.]
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